The olives from nearby groves have been recently designated as unmarketable, because of an unspecified risk of contamination. No one appears to have investigated and acted upon the risk of groundwater pollution arising from leaching through the soil of contaminants from the dump. The quality of the water pumped from the local well was not monitored for the presence of carcinogenic dioxins or any other of the cocktail of similar pollutants associated with landfills. There is no fencing or other notification of the site’s dangers; this is despite the evidence that children are drawn to it and play there, and that there are reports of children experiencing ill health (rashes, sickness) as a consequence. Another is the fact that periodically the dump spontaneously combusts, which is a hazard in its own right. A third is that it is believed that dumping still occurs at the site, without a permit. Fourthly, local inhabitants do not have access to any records of waste dumped at the site. Most important, however, is the disproportionately high incidence of cancer among the population served by the deep aquifer only 100 meters from the dump.

The Palestinian Environment Authority carried out a study in 2004 a study about the effect of the dumpsite on the surrounding communities. They found health impacts and also the presence of over 17 poisonous materials in the dumpsite, some of which are internationally forbidden [2]. The presence of the dumpsite has also led to an increase in the number of stray dogs and wild pigs that have caused damage to Palestinian crops and spread fear among residents of nearby villages.